Founder of Young Talent Time and current 6IX breakfast presenter Johnny Young has dismissed claims by singer Debra Byrne she was introducedÂ to sex, drugs and alcohol on the ground breaking TV show.

Young has also questioned how Byrne claimed she was 12 when she started a relationship with a 24-year-old YTT crew member. “Debra was 14 when she started on Young Talent Time and she was 15 going on 16 when she ran off with the boom operator without anybody knowing, causing incredible havoc for us,” he said.

Sources close to the former Queen of Pop have suggested there are other circumstances relating to Byrne’s early years she has not revealed, totally unrelated to YTT, things that 6IX’s Young and others on YTT had no control over.

Macquarie Media said it hopes to buy more radio assets rather than sell them off as new media laws are introduced next year.

The broadcast media group executive chairman Tim Hughes said the company’s Macquarie Regional Radioworks (MRR) may expand in the near future.

Mr Hughes laughed off suggestions MRR would sell off some of its 85 commercial radio licenses in Australia.

“That is just speculation,” Mr Hughes said after the company’s annual general meeting.

“Macquarie Regional Radioworks is probably the best performing asset in this country in terms of return on sales,” he said adding that the business has high earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

“It has high EBITDA margin, it has got great growth prospects and we actually think that the outcome of the recent changes might give us the opportunity to actually extend our reach in regional radio, not get out of it.”

MRR reported EBITDA 30.3 per cent growth in 2005/06 to $55 million compared to last year, while sales revenue grew 15.2 per cent.

Mr Hughes also said MRR was in talks with a number of media companies including WIN TV over possible acquisitions.

“We are talking to everyone,” he said.

Mr Hughes dismissed ideas that MRR may consider an all out tilt at John Fairfax Holdings saying the newspaper publisher was “a bit big.”

Radio ratings have crept up on us all again. Survey 7, the second last for 2006 will no doubt bring mixed results across the industry, although survey 7 sometimes is the cue for programmers across the nation to sharpen the axe for the following year.

Perth will follow later in the day. As usual we will attempt to bring you any breaking ratings day stories as they happen.

Derryn Hinch, who has been suffering a serious but undisclosed illness, says he had a brush with death last week.Hinch today told the Nine Network he required emergency treatment in a Melbourne hospital for blood poisoning and related complications.

He again declined to specify what illness he has suffered all year, saying only that the latest medical problems were caused and exacerbated by his weakened immune system.

“I got blood poisoning. I got septicaemia and suddenly my kidneys didn’t like it. They just shut down and I had total renal failure,” Hinch said of his most recent emergency.

“And, because I’d been sick earlier this year, for different reasons, my immune system was stuffed.”

Hinch said he was still attached to a medical device that pumped penicillin into his system “24 hours” through a tube.

“It took a while to get the right mix and pump me full of stuff. It has been life saving,” the controversial Southern Cross Radio commentator said.

Hinch was also told he came close to dying.

“I didn’t see any white flashes of light and stuff, I didn’t go the other side and see there was nothing there, as Kerry Packer once said … but I’m told I came very close.

THE former deputy prime minister John Anderson, the target of years of on-air tirades from the broadcaster Alan Jones, says he wants to make one thing clear: Jones never made sexual advances to him.

Mr Anderson, who as a minister admonished his colleagues, including the Prime Minister, John Howard, for kowtowing to Jones, broke his silence yesterday on his embittered relations with Jones.

Mr Anderson was reported yesterday to have told friends that Jones, who taught Mr Anderson at The King’s School, maintained a “sexually charged” regime over his pupils.

The former National Party leader at first told the Herald: “I don’t seek to make any public comment on it at all.”

However, he later said it would only be fair to set the record straight on an issue that has dominated the fallout from the unauthorised biography Jonestown, by Chris Masters, which talks at length about the broadcaster’s homosexuality.

“Probably because of the perception that some of his radio attacks on me were so personal and over the top, many people, including some of the country’s most senior journalists, seem to have assumed that Jones must have made some advances on me as a schoolboy, and I have been asked about that many times,” Mr Anderson told the Herald.“I have always immediately made it plain that was not true and it would not be fair for me to imply such things, because he did not [make advances].“I have always immediately made it plain that was not true and it would not be fair for me to imply such things, because he did not [make advances].”Our difficulties have related to adult life and his views - for example, that we could have droughtproofed Australia. We could not.”

Friends of Mr Anderson were reported yesterday to have said that, at King’s, Jones subjected Mr Anderson, then in his early teens, to a tirade of abuse for his failure to follow Jones’s directions at rugby practice.

But Mr Anderson indicated yesterday that he did not believe the falling-out in his schooldays was linked to the broadcaster’s subsequent attacks on his performance as minister.

As a senior government minister, Mr Anderson is believed to have argued on more than one occasion with his ministerial colleagues against pandering to the broadcaster’s demands.

Mr Howard had a firm relationship with Mr Anderson as deputy prime minister, but this did not prevent him expressing his strong support for Jones last week. Mr Howard said that he regarded Jones as a friend.

The way the broadcaster had been depicted in Jonestown and the innuendo in it was “quite unacceptable”, he said.

The licence for community broadcasting service 3CCC Bendigo will expire on 12 November 2006 after the licensee, Goldfields Community Radio Cooperative Ltd, failed to lodge its renewal application with Australian Communications Media Authority by the required date.

"This is most regrettable, but ACMA has no power to renew a community broadcasting licence where the application is lodged a considerable time after the required date" said Mr Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. In the case of 3CCC, ACMA received its application five months after the due date, despite almost 12 months of frequent reminders.

Applications to renew community broadcasting licences must be made, at the earliest, 12 months prior to the licence expiry, and at the latest, 26 weeks prior to the licence expiry unless ACMA notifiesthe licensee in writing to lodge the application at an earlier date.

"In order to avoid such a circumstance, all community radio licensees should clearly review the legislation applicable to them and, in particular, monitor the strict renewal date regime," said Mr Chapman.

Following numerous reminders and explanations of the consequences of non-lodgment, 3CCC finally lodged its renewal application on 13 October 2006.

ACMA has not yet decided on the long-term future use of the frequency used by 3CCC (89.5 MHz). This frequency may be made available for a temporary community broadcasting service while its future use is further considered. 3CCC can apply for a temporary community broadcasting licence to use the frequency in the meantime.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority confirmed today that it has decided to open an investigation into compliance with the commercial radio standards by Radio 2UE Sydney Pty Ltd, the licensee of commercial radio service 2UE Sydney.

ACMA's decision follows the notification of a breach of the Commercial Radio Disclosure Standard by 2UE. 2UE wrote to ACMA indicating it had breached the standard as a result of one if its presenters, Mr John Laws, failing to disclose a commercial agreement with Telstra during an interview with the Prime Minister on Mr Laws program on 28 August 2006.

"ACMA acknowledges the action of 2UE in bringing this specific breach to its attention," said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. "However, ACMA has decided to commence an investigation into 2UE's compliance with the standards."

The terms of reference for the investigation are included below.

In connection with the investigation, ACMA makes it clear that it has formed no firm view on the issues to date but is seeking documents to inform itself.

'At this stage, ACMA has begun collecting documents that are relevant to the matters noted in the terms of reference,' said Mr Chapman. 'Once the documents are examined, ACMA will consider what steps, if any, will need to be taken.'

JUST two days after denying its regional radio stations were for sale, Macquarie Media Group is rumoured to be in talks with WIN Corp about a possible acquisition.

The speculation came as sources ruled out Babcock & Brown as a likely buyer in the shake-up of Australia’s media sector, despite speculation its main rival, Macquarie Bank, which owns 20 per cent of MMG, is about to make a move into the sector.

The speculation came as sources ruled out Babcock & Brown as a likely buyer in the shake-up of Australia’s media sector, despite speculation its main rival, Macquarie Bank, which owns 20 per cent of MMG, is about to make a move into the sector.

Unlike foreign private equity groups, Macquarie Bank and B&B do not have to wait for the Federal Government’s new media laws allowing cross-media and foreign ownership to come into force if they want to buy media assets.

But sources close to B&B say the $5.8 billion investment group would probably be interested only in media infrastructure â€” for instance, printing presses spun off from any sale of media companies.

WIN, Australia’s largest regional TV network, is owned by Bermuda-based billionaire Bruce Gordon. The group owns telecommunications infrastructure, a fledgling pay TV company, stakes in Ten and Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd and more than $100 million of property. Mr Gordon has been approached in the past and has said he wouldn’t sell the group for less than $1 billion.

WIN chief executive George Papadopoulos and chairman Andrew Gordon, the son of its owner, did not return calls yesterday.

A source close to MMG said it was interested in WIN. However, the Macquarie-backed fund is concerned that Australian media assets are too expensive. MMG owns 85 regional radio stations and a Taiwanese cable company. It is looking around the globe for assets, and executive chairman Tim Hughes said in August that it was “very hard for us to see much value” in some of the prices media companies are trading at in Australia.

Analysts estimate WIN earns more than $50 million a year before tax. But there is little financial information available on the privately owned company.

One analyst said the deal could make sense because MMG could on-sell some of the telecommunications assets to its sister fund, Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group. source SMH

3AW’s Derryn Hinch has suffered total kidney failure whilst being treated for septicaemia in Melbourne’s Cabrini Hospital. Hinch who has been dogged by ill health for much of this year was treated by up to eight specialists during an ordeal that was touch and go. The long term prognosis on the renal failure has not been disclosed although Hinch claims he will be back on air in early November.

MACQUARIE Media Groupsays it has no intention of selling its nationwide network of radio stations.

MMG said Macquarie Regional Radioworks was not for sale, despite reports to the contrary.

“MMG advises that the Macquarie Regional Radioworks business has not been put up for sale, and there is no current intention to sell,” said the group.

MMG was late yesterday requested by the Australian Stock Exchange to respond to a media article citing a possible sale.

“MMG advises that it has not received any offer to buy Macquarie Regional Radioworks, nor has there been any decision to sell the business,” it said.

The report said MMG had put a sale price of $600 million on its 85 radio licences, which cover about 60 per cent of regional Australia.

The sale speculation was believed to have been prompted by new media laws and stricter requirements for regional radio stations to produce more local content, thereby preventing broadcasts from a network’s stations from outside local areas.

The industry’s major media players are in the process of positioning themselves ahead of the laws being introduced next year.

MACQUARIE Media Group, the dominant player in the nation’s regional radio market, is believed to have put its network of stations up for sale for about $600 million as it seeks new opportunities in the deregulated media market.

The decision to sell after only two years is believed to have been prompted by the federal Government’s insistence on tough local-content requirements for regional radio stations to gain the Nationals’ support in parliament last week for the removal of cross-media and foreign ownership rules.

Those local-content rules would be triggered if the company - a fund set up by Macquarie Bank in 2004 to invest in media assets - bought a TV station or newspaper business in any of the markets in which the radio stations operate. The cost of meeting those requirements would dent earnings growth at Macquarie and limit the appeal of consolidation in the regional media market.

Nationals MPs have constantly criticised Macquarie for its heavily networked approach to news and other programming on its regional radio stations.

Earlier this month, Macquarie came under fire for hubbing some news in Western Australia out of its Gold Coast newsroom.

But it warned it would be forced to close at least 10 stations in towns in Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland if new content requirements were enacted.

The new rules impose 12 1/2 minutes a day of original local news content and 4 1/2 hours of local live content.

The broadcaster said the costs of hiring extra staff and infrastructure costs would make a further six stations “marginal”.

The most likely buyers are regional media groups with better developed regional newsrooms that could more easily absorb the cost of producing extra local content across two media.

The radio business, Macquarie Regional Radioworks, owns 85 regional radio licences that cover about 60 per cent of regional Australia.

The group, which posted operating earnings last year of $55 million, also faces the cost of upgrading all its radio stations to digital.

Macquarie formed the business in 2004 when it paid $173 million to take over regional radio group RG Capital and then $196.5 million for most of the British-owned DMG Radio Australia’s regional radio stations. The stations then became the seed asset of the Macquarie Media Group, which listed last year.

Macquarie was estimated to have pocketed between $70 million and $124 million from the sale of the radio businesses into the listed vehicle.

MMG then moved offshore, paying $416 million for 60 per cent of Taiwan Broadband Communications.

But MMG has been one of the worst-performing of Macquarie’s satellite funds, with investors baulking at the complicated structure and management fees.

Potential buyers of the radio assets include John B. Fairfax’s Rural Press, which already owns 10 regional radio stations and has often stated its desire to buy more, and rival regional newspaper group APN News & Media.

APN chief executive Brendan Hopkins recently told The Australian that the local industry could learn from New Zealand, where APN owns radio stations and newspapers in the same markets. “Local radio working closely with local publications will give better local content than if they were working separately,” he said.

Meanwhile, John Hartigan, the chief executive of News Limited, which publishes The Australian, is heading to the US this week to brief parent company News Corporation on the unfolding Australian media landscape. (source The Australian)

His listeners can't see it but 'Baby' John Burgess doesn't look to have aged a day. The skin is tight. The hair colour is fresh. And the huge diamond ring he regularly adjusts on his left hand is leftover bling from his glory days as Perth's radio king when a Ferrari sports car was part of his 6PM salary package.

This month, in the modest surroundings of a struggling, inner-Melbourne radio station, the rebirth of 63-year-old 'Baby' John Burgess slowly began taking shape.

In the past three weeks, the man who ruled Perth's airwaves for more than a decade has been waking up 3MP's modest audience with a soundtrack of Roy Orbison, Celine Dion, Elton John and the Bee Gees. And quietly planning his comeback.

RADIO and television broadcaster Southern Cross Broadcasting Ltd (SBC) said today it was in talks with other media companies about a possible merger, takeover or acquisition.' Southern Cross Broadcasting has commenced such discussions but none have progressed beyond the exploratory stage,” the company said in a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange.

“The ASX has insisted that the company make a release regarding discussions it may have had with other media companies,” SBC said.

“It is noted that it has been widely reported that many media companies are in discussions with other media companies following the passage of legislation to relax the cross media and foreign ownership laws.”

Australian Football League Chief Operating Officer Ben Buckley today announced the AFL had reached three-year agreements for its Radio Broadcast rights with the ABC, 3AW, the Triple M Network and new partner SEN 1116.

Mr Buckley said the AFL’s radio agreements across both commercial AM and FM radio and with national public broadcasters would now see every match of every team in the competition broadcast into its home city. For the first time, all Victorian-based teams were now guaranteed radio coverage for every away match outside of Victoria for the first time in the history of the national competition.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that Deepwater & Districts Community FM Radio Inc, the licensee of 2CBD Deepwater, breached the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 by broadcasting advertisements.

International football makes it long awaited return to Rugby Leagues heartland this month when the Newcastle Rep side hosts Great Britain on Friday 20 October at Energy Australia Stadium and the Supernetwork will have all the action covered.

'This is Newcastle's chance to re-visit the glory days of Rugby league before the Knights joined the National competition' said Newcastle Rugby League CEO, Jamie O'Connor

In the years gone by the Newcastle-Great Britain has always brought out the best in the locals and the last time Newcastle defeated Great Britain in a very spiteful clash was in 1962 in front of 22,000 people

Ray Hadley has taken over from his 2GB stablemate Alan Jones in being crowned Best Current Affairs Commentator at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards.Hadley was presented with the award at the annual ceremony, this year hosted by British comedian John Cleese, at Sydney’s Luna Park.

It brought to an end Jones’ dominance in the category after the veteran broadcaster decided not to nominate for the award this year.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has cancelled the community radio broadcasting licence held by the Western Australian Aboriginal Media Association (Aboriginal Corporation) (WAAMA).

On 19 May 2006, ACMA found that the community radio service operated by WAAMA (6AR Perth) had breached its licence conditions. ACMA imposed additional conditions on WAAMA on 22 June 2006. One of the additional conditions required WAAMA to provide a compliance plan to ACMA by 31 July 2006, but WAAMA failed to meet this requirement by the due date.

WAAMA ceased broadcasting on 1 September 2006 and WAAMA's Chair, Mr Iva Hayward Jackson, indicated to ACMA that WAAMA would not be surrendering its licence.

As a result of WAAMA's continuing non-compliance, ACMA issued a written notice to WAAMA on 8 September 2006. WAAMA did not make representations to ACMA by the due date of 15 September 2006 on why ACMA should not suspend or cancel the licence.

'ACMA's decision to cancel the licence is not one that has been taken lightly,' said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. 'We had worked very hard with WAAMA to ensure it reflected the listening needs of Perth's indigenous population. This included our imposing additional licence conditions.'

ACMA has not made any decision regarding the use of the frequency that has been freed up as a result of its decision and will consider this issue at a later date.

At that time, ACMA would remain conscious of continuing interest in an indigenous broadcasting service.

AMANDA Blair has pledged to take her outspoken views to the airwaves when she makes her full-time return to radio at FIVEaa next year.In what has been the industry’s worst-kept secret, the popular Sunday Mail columnist will replace Nicole Haack as afternoon presenter from January 14.

Seven newsreader Graeme Goodings has stepped into the timeslot since Haack’s departure on September 28 and will fill in until Christmas.

The role will be the former number 1 breakfast presenter’s first full-time radio gig since her shock split with SAFM in 2003.”I didn’t want to get near a microphone for a few years I was quite tired after SAFM,” said Blair, who has filled in for various FIVEaa personalities during the past two years.

“I just wanted to have kids and sit back.

“But it’s so refreshing for me to be able to express myself in a reasonably serious forum, and show people there’s a bit of a brain up there that works.

Commercial radio is gearing up for its glittering awards night to be held at Sydney's Luna Park next week. One of the world's funniest comedians, John Cleese, will open the show and a host of radio personalities and entertainers will be part of the night's line-up.

Some of Australia's best known radio personalities will be vying for awards. Last year's winners of the Best On Air Team award, Merrick and Rosso from Nova 969, have been nominated again this year and will be up against Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O from 2 Day FM Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller from WS FM the Cage from Triple M and Ross Stevenson and John Burns from 3AW.

For some time now Moris Sztajer and Ian Grieve and a dedicated group of volunteers have been constructing the Encyclopaedia of Australian Radio Show Database. (Earsdb) The project is nothing short of mammoth and is an ongoing works. It mainly centre around The Golden Age of Australian Radio 1932 - 1962 .

EarsDB is a computer based database that lists Australian Radio Shows of the Golden Age and beyond. The aim is to list all Australian radio shows aired during the Golden Age of Australian Radio and beyond.

The Australian today reports on their perception that the Supernetwork run by Bill Caralis has got off fairly lighty during the inquiry. To quote the article

It’s the network that has been immune from criticism thus far, despite its national news being “hubbed” from its Sydney headquarters at Pyrmont (which Caralis purpose-built in 2000 before Seven, Fairfax, DMG Radio and Ten moved into the area).

Supernetwork operations manager James Yelland said the reason was obvious: they delivered local news and broadcasters. “First and foremost we’re independently owned and operated and we’ve always had an agenda since day one to stay independent, and we will continue to do so regardless,” he said. “You must have a local presence and connect with the local audience.”FULL ITEM

Further to our recent item on Village Roadshow (on 26th Sept) there has been another significant sell down of Austereo stock. Village have now disposed of a further 9.8 percent, down to 50.2 percent holding in Austereo. This is down from 67 percent hold just weeks ago.

Speculation that Austereo will be a quick takeover target upon media ownership law changes is now being fuelled by the further share holding trading.

While the Ten Network have long been said to being casting an eye over Austereo it has also now been suggested PBL’s Nine Network would be a front runner should the opportunity arise.

Bloomberg filed the following stock report: Austereo Group Ltd. (AEO AU) slid 7.5 cents, or 4 percent, to A$1.79. Village Roadshow Ltd. (VRL AU), Australia’s biggest cinema chain, cut its stake in radio broadcaster Austereo to 50.2 percent, fuelling speculation it may be a seller if law changes spark media takeovers next year. Village Roadshow climbed 6 cents, or 2.5 percent, to A$2.50.

The 2006 conference of the Australian Communications and Media Authority will kick off in Canberra in 50 days time. The 'ICE' conference ˜Information Communications Entertainment' will take place at the Hyatt Hotel on 23 and 24 November.

'The ICE theme is acknowledgment of the changing nature of the modern communications environment and the realities of convergence. It also reflects the fact that ACMA itself is a newly converged regulator, with responsibilities spanning telecommunications, broadcasting, radiocommunications and online content,' said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

Consumers could be able to download music tracks from radio stations as they hear them under groundbreaking new technology being investigated as part of the launch of digital radio in Australia in 2009.

The digital music download service would allow consumers to buy tracks in real time over special mobile phone handsets.

New Zealand Government decisions announced today will provide for up to four new FM radio stations in each region, and strengthen the role of local broadcasters, say Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey and Communications Minister David Cunliffe.

The announcement follows a review of FM frequencies and approval of a new policy framework to promote local broadcasting.' The government is committed to supporting local broadcasters in establishing stations that reflect the interests and diversity of their community,' Steve Maharey said. 'In most regions there will be two non-commercial licences and two community-based commercial licences available.'

The biggest industry story in 2006 will continue to be the media reforms. We will provide links to the developing stories surrounding the proposed reforms.

The Age reports COMMUNICATIONS Minister Helen Coonan has paved the way to accepting the key item on the Nationals’ wish list, signalling she is prepared to implement a tougher diversity test as the price of securing her controversial media reforms. FULL ITEM

The Age reports:Communications Minister Helen Coonan has again indicated she is open to compromise with The Nationals over changes to media ownership laws.Senator Coonan said she would consider any 'worthwhile' amendments to a recently-introduced government bill which would abolish restrictions on companies owning more than one form of media in individual cities. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports: LOCAL news content on country radio stations could be greatly improved if newspaper proprietors owned both media in the same regional market.As Nationals MPs highlight the parlous state of local radio news ahead of a vote on the Governmentâ€™s media reform bill, APN News and Media chief Brendan Hopkins said Australia could learn from the New Zealand example, where radio news benefited from the company's ownership of local newspapers. FULL ITEM

The Age reports Analysts agree investors have generally watched and waited amid uncertainty over whether the media bills, which will abolish cross-ownership and foreign ownership restrictions and roll out digital technology, will be passed without major change. But they say share price premiums built into media stocks perceived as acquisition targets could quickly evaporate if the package was derailed. FULL ITEM

The Australin reports:Some companies, such as FM radio network Austereo, have embraced the proposed rewrite of rules, which would significantly loosen media ownership laws, while others say the new regulations remain a heavy hand on a dynamic sector. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:MARK Vaile has predicted that fine-tuning of media ownership laws will be required to quell the concerns of Nationals MPs over their impact in regional areas. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports Ron Camplin well remembers the days when a host of bureaucrats traipsed to the NSW city of Bathurst to check that he was an appropriate owner of the local wireless station.Now, Mr Camplin, 74, believes a similar circus is about to erupt with the federal Government's push to legislate minimum local-content rules for regional radio stations as part of the removal of cross-media ownership restrictions. FULL ITEM

The Canberra Times reports Two media outlets could disappear from the Canberra market or be taken over by other players under the Government's planned changes - but there are no immediate moves to do so. Under the media-ownership laws introduced to Parliament this week by Communications Minister Helen Coonan, Canberra, as a regional market, is guaranteed four media or independent media groups. Metropolitan markets are guaranteed five. FULL ITEM

The Age reports:APPARENTLY we need media diversity in regional cities but not capital cities.This is not because capital city dwellers are less interested in democracy than country people are, but because regional areas contain wheels labelled 'Nationals' that are squeaking and need to be oiled, whereas capital city politicians are already lubricated by Mogul Oil FULL ITEM

The Courier Mail reports:Long-awaited media reforms could be dumped if the Nationals continue to oppose the package.Some Liberals fear Prime Minister John Howard will simply walk away if the junior Coalition partner makes too much fuss. Mr Howard has previously said he does not want to waste political capital on the reforms, which were introduced to Parliament on Thursday. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:Mount Gambier is one regional centre that should fear the Howard Government's proposed new media ownership laws, say civic leaders.'The Mount' - in South Australia near the border with Victoria - counts its media as one newspaper, regional television station WIN TV, commercial radio station 5SE and ABC radio and television. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:Measures to preserve media diversity proposed by the Nationals would mean nothing in most regional areas, particularly the smallest and most vulnerable. Nationals from Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile down believe extra restrictions should be imposed to stop one proprietor buying more than two out of the three main media - television, radio and newspapers - in any one town. FULL ITEM

Australian Idol Judge and 2day FM breakfast host Kyle Sandilands has been asked to apologise for comments made to contestant Bobby Flynn. Sandilands, on last Sunday’s show called Flynn a “full mong”. This is not the first time Sandilands has fired insults at contestants.

Two weeksÂ ago, he raised more than just an eyebrow when he suggested 17-year-old Idol finalist Jessica Mauboy “lose the jelly belly” if she wanted to succeed. Sandilands has previously sparked controversy in the previous Australian Idol (2005), when he made reference to winner Kate DeAraugo’s “tuckshop lady” arms.

Regardless of whether Sandilands comments are made in hopes of driving the ratings further; What message is Sandilands sending to the impressionable veiwers of Australian Idol? Perhaps this is a case of people in glass houses…

The biggest industry story in 2006 will continue to be the media reforms. We will provide links to the developing stories surrounding the proposed reforms.

The Age reports:Communications Minister Helen Coonan has again indicated she is open to compromise with The Nationals over changes to media ownership laws. Senator Coonan said she would consider any “worthwhile” amendments to a recently-introduced government bill which would abolish restrictions on companies owning more than one form of media in individual cities. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports: LOCAL news content on country radio stations could be greatly improved if newspaper proprietors owned both media in the same regional market.As Nationals MPs highlight the parlous state of local radio news ahead of a vote on the Government’s media reform bill, APN News and Media chief Brendan Hopkins said Australia could learn from the New Zealand example, where radio news benefited from the company’s ownership of local newspapers. FULL ITEM

The Age reports: Analysts agree investors have generally watched and waited amid uncertainty over whether the media bills, which will abolish cross-ownership and foreign ownership restrictions and roll out digital technology, will be passed without major change. But they say share price premiums built into media stocks perceived as acquisition targets could quickly evaporate if the package was derailed. FULL ITEM

The Australin reports: Some companies, such as FM radio network Austereo, have embraced the proposed rewrite of rules, which would significantly loosen media ownership laws, while others say the new regulations remain a heavy hand on a dynamic sector. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:MARK Vaile has predicted that fine-tuning of media ownership laws will be required to quell the concerns of Nationals MPs over their impact in regional areas. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:Ron Camplin well remembers the days when a host of bureaucrats traipsed to the NSW city of Bathurst to check that he was an appropriate owner of the local wireless station. Now, Mr Camplin, 74, believes a similar circus is about to erupt with the federal Government’s push to legislate minimum local-content rules for regional radio stations as part of the removal of cross-media ownership restrictions. FULL ITEM

The Canberra Times reports: Two media outlets could disappear from the Canberra market or be taken over by other players under the Government’s planned changes - but there are no immediate moves to do so. Under the media-ownership laws introduced to Parliament this week by Communications Minister Helen Coonan, Canberra, as a regional market, is guaranteed four media “voices” or independent media groups. Metropolitan markets are guaranteed five. FULL ITEM

The Age reports:APPARENTLY we need media diversity in regional cities but not capital cities.This is not because capital city dwellers are less interested in democracy than country people are, but because regional areas contain wheels labelled “Nationals” that are squeaking and need to be oiled, whereas capital city politicians are already lubricated by Mogul Oil FULL ITEM

The Courier Mail reports: Long-awaited media reforms could be dumped if the Nationals continue to oppose the package.Some Liberals fear Prime Minister John Howard will simply walk away if the junior Coalition partner makes too much fuss. Mr Howard has previously said he does not want to waste political capital on the reforms, which were introduced to Parliament on Thursday. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:Mount Gambier is one regional centre that should fear the Howard Government’s proposed new media ownership laws, say civic leaders.”The Mount” - in South Australia near the border with Victoria - counts its media as one newspaper, regional television station WIN TV, commercial radio station 5SE and ABC radio and television. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:Measures to preserve media diversity proposed by the Nationals would mean nothing in most regional areas, particularly the smallest and most vulnerable. Nationals from Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile down believe extra restrictions should be imposed to stop one proprietor buying more than two out of the three main media - television, radio and newspapers - in any one town. FULL ITEM

Founder of Young Talent Time and current 6IX breakfast presenter Johnny Young has dismissed claims by singer Debra Byrne she was introducedÂ to sex, drugs and alcohol on the ground breaking TV show.

Young has also questioned how Byrne claimed she was 12 when she started a relationship with a 24-year-old YTT crew member. “Debra was 14 when she started on Young Talent Time and she was 15 going on 16 when she ran off with the boom operator without anybody knowing, causing incredible havoc for us,” he said.

Sources close to the former Queen of Pop have suggested there are other circumstances relating to Byrne’s early years she has not revealed, totally unrelated to YTT, things that 6IX’s Young and others on YTT had no control over.

Macquarie Media said it hopes to buy more radio assets rather than sell them off as new media laws are introduced next year.

The broadcast media group executive chairman Tim Hughes said the company’s Macquarie Regional Radioworks (MRR) may expand in the near future.

Mr Hughes laughed off suggestions MRR would sell off some of its 85 commercial radio licenses in Australia.

“That is just speculation,” Mr Hughes said after the company’s annual general meeting.

“Macquarie Regional Radioworks is probably the best performing asset in this country in terms of return on sales,” he said adding that the business has high earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

“It has high EBITDA margin, it has got great growth prospects and we actually think that the outcome of the recent changes might give us the opportunity to actually extend our reach in regional radio, not get out of it.”

MRR reported EBITDA 30.3 per cent growth in 2005/06 to $55 million compared to last year, while sales revenue grew 15.2 per cent.

Mr Hughes also said MRR was in talks with a number of media companies including WIN TV over possible acquisitions.

“We are talking to everyone,” he said.

Mr Hughes dismissed ideas that MRR may consider an all out tilt at John Fairfax Holdings saying the newspaper publisher was “a bit big.”

Radio ratings have crept up on us all again. Survey 7, the second last for 2006 will no doubt bring mixed results across the industry, although survey 7 sometimes is the cue for programmers across the nation to sharpen the axe for the following year.

Perth will follow later in the day. As usual we will attempt to bring you any breaking ratings day stories as they happen.

Derryn Hinch, who has been suffering a serious but undisclosed illness, says he had a brush with death last week.Hinch today told the Nine Network he required emergency treatment in a Melbourne hospital for blood poisoning and related complications.

He again declined to specify what illness he has suffered all year, saying only that the latest medical problems were caused and exacerbated by his weakened immune system.

“I got blood poisoning. I got septicaemia and suddenly my kidneys didn’t like it. They just shut down and I had total renal failure,” Hinch said of his most recent emergency.

“And, because I’d been sick earlier this year, for different reasons, my immune system was stuffed.”

Hinch said he was still attached to a medical device that pumped penicillin into his system “24 hours” through a tube.

“It took a while to get the right mix and pump me full of stuff. It has been life saving,” the controversial Southern Cross Radio commentator said.

Hinch was also told he came close to dying.

“I didn’t see any white flashes of light and stuff, I didn’t go the other side and see there was nothing there, as Kerry Packer once said … but I’m told I came very close.

THE former deputy prime minister John Anderson, the target of years of on-air tirades from the broadcaster Alan Jones, says he wants to make one thing clear: Jones never made sexual advances to him.

Mr Anderson, who as a minister admonished his colleagues, including the Prime Minister, John Howard, for kowtowing to Jones, broke his silence yesterday on his embittered relations with Jones.

Mr Anderson was reported yesterday to have told friends that Jones, who taught Mr Anderson at The King’s School, maintained a “sexually charged” regime over his pupils.

The former National Party leader at first told the Herald: “I don’t seek to make any public comment on it at all.”

However, he later said it would only be fair to set the record straight on an issue that has dominated the fallout from the unauthorised biography Jonestown, by Chris Masters, which talks at length about the broadcaster’s homosexuality.

“Probably because of the perception that some of his radio attacks on me were so personal and over the top, many people, including some of the country’s most senior journalists, seem to have assumed that Jones must have made some advances on me as a schoolboy, and I have been asked about that many times,” Mr Anderson told the Herald.“I have always immediately made it plain that was not true and it would not be fair for me to imply such things, because he did not [make advances].“I have always immediately made it plain that was not true and it would not be fair for me to imply such things, because he did not [make advances].”Our difficulties have related to adult life and his views - for example, that we could have droughtproofed Australia. We could not.”

Friends of Mr Anderson were reported yesterday to have said that, at King’s, Jones subjected Mr Anderson, then in his early teens, to a tirade of abuse for his failure to follow Jones’s directions at rugby practice.

But Mr Anderson indicated yesterday that he did not believe the falling-out in his schooldays was linked to the broadcaster’s subsequent attacks on his performance as minister.

As a senior government minister, Mr Anderson is believed to have argued on more than one occasion with his ministerial colleagues against pandering to the broadcaster’s demands.

Mr Howard had a firm relationship with Mr Anderson as deputy prime minister, but this did not prevent him expressing his strong support for Jones last week. Mr Howard said that he regarded Jones as a friend.

The way the broadcaster had been depicted in Jonestown and the innuendo in it was “quite unacceptable”, he said.

The licence for community broadcasting service 3CCC Bendigo will expire on 12 November 2006 after the licensee, Goldfields Community Radio Cooperative Ltd, failed to lodge its renewal application with Australian Communications Media Authority by the required date.

"This is most regrettable, but ACMA has no power to renew a community broadcasting licence where the application is lodged a considerable time after the required date" said Mr Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. In the case of 3CCC, ACMA received its application five months after the due date, despite almost 12 months of frequent reminders.

Applications to renew community broadcasting licences must be made, at the earliest, 12 months prior to the licence expiry, and at the latest, 26 weeks prior to the licence expiry unless ACMA notifiesthe licensee in writing to lodge the application at an earlier date.

"In order to avoid such a circumstance, all community radio licensees should clearly review the legislation applicable to them and, in particular, monitor the strict renewal date regime," said Mr Chapman.

Following numerous reminders and explanations of the consequences of non-lodgment, 3CCC finally lodged its renewal application on 13 October 2006.

ACMA has not yet decided on the long-term future use of the frequency used by 3CCC (89.5 MHz). This frequency may be made available for a temporary community broadcasting service while its future use is further considered. 3CCC can apply for a temporary community broadcasting licence to use the frequency in the meantime.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority confirmed today that it has decided to open an investigation into compliance with the commercial radio standards by Radio 2UE Sydney Pty Ltd, the licensee of commercial radio service 2UE Sydney.

ACMA's decision follows the notification of a breach of the Commercial Radio Disclosure Standard by 2UE. 2UE wrote to ACMA indicating it had breached the standard as a result of one if its presenters, Mr John Laws, failing to disclose a commercial agreement with Telstra during an interview with the Prime Minister on Mr Laws program on 28 August 2006.

"ACMA acknowledges the action of 2UE in bringing this specific breach to its attention," said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. "However, ACMA has decided to commence an investigation into 2UE's compliance with the standards."

The terms of reference for the investigation are included below.

In connection with the investigation, ACMA makes it clear that it has formed no firm view on the issues to date but is seeking documents to inform itself.

'At this stage, ACMA has begun collecting documents that are relevant to the matters noted in the terms of reference,' said Mr Chapman. 'Once the documents are examined, ACMA will consider what steps, if any, will need to be taken.'

JUST two days after denying its regional radio stations were for sale, Macquarie Media Group is rumoured to be in talks with WIN Corp about a possible acquisition.

The speculation came as sources ruled out Babcock & Brown as a likely buyer in the shake-up of Australia’s media sector, despite speculation its main rival, Macquarie Bank, which owns 20 per cent of MMG, is about to make a move into the sector.

The speculation came as sources ruled out Babcock & Brown as a likely buyer in the shake-up of Australia’s media sector, despite speculation its main rival, Macquarie Bank, which owns 20 per cent of MMG, is about to make a move into the sector.

Unlike foreign private equity groups, Macquarie Bank and B&B do not have to wait for the Federal Government’s new media laws allowing cross-media and foreign ownership to come into force if they want to buy media assets.

But sources close to B&B say the $5.8 billion investment group would probably be interested only in media infrastructure â€” for instance, printing presses spun off from any sale of media companies.

WIN, Australia’s largest regional TV network, is owned by Bermuda-based billionaire Bruce Gordon. The group owns telecommunications infrastructure, a fledgling pay TV company, stakes in Ten and Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd and more than $100 million of property. Mr Gordon has been approached in the past and has said he wouldn’t sell the group for less than $1 billion.

WIN chief executive George Papadopoulos and chairman Andrew Gordon, the son of its owner, did not return calls yesterday.

A source close to MMG said it was interested in WIN. However, the Macquarie-backed fund is concerned that Australian media assets are too expensive. MMG owns 85 regional radio stations and a Taiwanese cable company. It is looking around the globe for assets, and executive chairman Tim Hughes said in August that it was “very hard for us to see much value” in some of the prices media companies are trading at in Australia.

Analysts estimate WIN earns more than $50 million a year before tax. But there is little financial information available on the privately owned company.

One analyst said the deal could make sense because MMG could on-sell some of the telecommunications assets to its sister fund, Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group. source SMH

3AW’s Derryn Hinch has suffered total kidney failure whilst being treated for septicaemia in Melbourne’s Cabrini Hospital. Hinch who has been dogged by ill health for much of this year was treated by up to eight specialists during an ordeal that was touch and go. The long term prognosis on the renal failure has not been disclosed although Hinch claims he will be back on air in early November.

MACQUARIE Media Groupsays it has no intention of selling its nationwide network of radio stations.

MMG said Macquarie Regional Radioworks was not for sale, despite reports to the contrary.

“MMG advises that the Macquarie Regional Radioworks business has not been put up for sale, and there is no current intention to sell,” said the group.

MMG was late yesterday requested by the Australian Stock Exchange to respond to a media article citing a possible sale.

“MMG advises that it has not received any offer to buy Macquarie Regional Radioworks, nor has there been any decision to sell the business,” it said.

The report said MMG had put a sale price of $600 million on its 85 radio licences, which cover about 60 per cent of regional Australia.

The sale speculation was believed to have been prompted by new media laws and stricter requirements for regional radio stations to produce more local content, thereby preventing broadcasts from a network’s stations from outside local areas.

The industry’s major media players are in the process of positioning themselves ahead of the laws being introduced next year.

MACQUARIE Media Group, the dominant player in the nation’s regional radio market, is believed to have put its network of stations up for sale for about $600 million as it seeks new opportunities in the deregulated media market.

The decision to sell after only two years is believed to have been prompted by the federal Government’s insistence on tough local-content requirements for regional radio stations to gain the Nationals’ support in parliament last week for the removal of cross-media and foreign ownership rules.

Those local-content rules would be triggered if the company - a fund set up by Macquarie Bank in 2004 to invest in media assets - bought a TV station or newspaper business in any of the markets in which the radio stations operate. The cost of meeting those requirements would dent earnings growth at Macquarie and limit the appeal of consolidation in the regional media market.

Nationals MPs have constantly criticised Macquarie for its heavily networked approach to news and other programming on its regional radio stations.

Earlier this month, Macquarie came under fire for hubbing some news in Western Australia out of its Gold Coast newsroom.

But it warned it would be forced to close at least 10 stations in towns in Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland if new content requirements were enacted.

The new rules impose 12 1/2 minutes a day of original local news content and 4 1/2 hours of local live content.

The broadcaster said the costs of hiring extra staff and infrastructure costs would make a further six stations “marginal”.

The most likely buyers are regional media groups with better developed regional newsrooms that could more easily absorb the cost of producing extra local content across two media.

The radio business, Macquarie Regional Radioworks, owns 85 regional radio licences that cover about 60 per cent of regional Australia.

The group, which posted operating earnings last year of $55 million, also faces the cost of upgrading all its radio stations to digital.

Macquarie formed the business in 2004 when it paid $173 million to take over regional radio group RG Capital and then $196.5 million for most of the British-owned DMG Radio Australia’s regional radio stations. The stations then became the seed asset of the Macquarie Media Group, which listed last year.

Macquarie was estimated to have pocketed between $70 million and $124 million from the sale of the radio businesses into the listed vehicle.

MMG then moved offshore, paying $416 million for 60 per cent of Taiwan Broadband Communications.

But MMG has been one of the worst-performing of Macquarie’s satellite funds, with investors baulking at the complicated structure and management fees.

Potential buyers of the radio assets include John B. Fairfax’s Rural Press, which already owns 10 regional radio stations and has often stated its desire to buy more, and rival regional newspaper group APN News & Media.

APN chief executive Brendan Hopkins recently told The Australian that the local industry could learn from New Zealand, where APN owns radio stations and newspapers in the same markets. “Local radio working closely with local publications will give better local content than if they were working separately,” he said.

Meanwhile, John Hartigan, the chief executive of News Limited, which publishes The Australian, is heading to the US this week to brief parent company News Corporation on the unfolding Australian media landscape. (source The Australian)

His listeners can't see it but 'Baby' John Burgess doesn't look to have aged a day. The skin is tight. The hair colour is fresh. And the huge diamond ring he regularly adjusts on his left hand is leftover bling from his glory days as Perth's radio king when a Ferrari sports car was part of his 6PM salary package.

This month, in the modest surroundings of a struggling, inner-Melbourne radio station, the rebirth of 63-year-old 'Baby' John Burgess slowly began taking shape.

In the past three weeks, the man who ruled Perth's airwaves for more than a decade has been waking up 3MP's modest audience with a soundtrack of Roy Orbison, Celine Dion, Elton John and the Bee Gees. And quietly planning his comeback.

RADIO and television broadcaster Southern Cross Broadcasting Ltd (SBC) said today it was in talks with other media companies about a possible merger, takeover or acquisition.' Southern Cross Broadcasting has commenced such discussions but none have progressed beyond the exploratory stage,” the company said in a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange.

“The ASX has insisted that the company make a release regarding discussions it may have had with other media companies,” SBC said.

“It is noted that it has been widely reported that many media companies are in discussions with other media companies following the passage of legislation to relax the cross media and foreign ownership laws.”

Australian Football League Chief Operating Officer Ben Buckley today announced the AFL had reached three-year agreements for its Radio Broadcast rights with the ABC, 3AW, the Triple M Network and new partner SEN 1116.

Mr Buckley said the AFL’s radio agreements across both commercial AM and FM radio and with national public broadcasters would now see every match of every team in the competition broadcast into its home city. For the first time, all Victorian-based teams were now guaranteed radio coverage for every away match outside of Victoria for the first time in the history of the national competition.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that Deepwater & Districts Community FM Radio Inc, the licensee of 2CBD Deepwater, breached the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 by broadcasting advertisements.

International football makes it long awaited return to Rugby Leagues heartland this month when the Newcastle Rep side hosts Great Britain on Friday 20 October at Energy Australia Stadium and the Supernetwork will have all the action covered.

'This is Newcastle's chance to re-visit the glory days of Rugby league before the Knights joined the National competition' said Newcastle Rugby League CEO, Jamie O'Connor

In the years gone by the Newcastle-Great Britain has always brought out the best in the locals and the last time Newcastle defeated Great Britain in a very spiteful clash was in 1962 in front of 22,000 people

Ray Hadley has taken over from his 2GB stablemate Alan Jones in being crowned Best Current Affairs Commentator at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards.Hadley was presented with the award at the annual ceremony, this year hosted by British comedian John Cleese, at Sydney’s Luna Park.

It brought to an end Jones’ dominance in the category after the veteran broadcaster decided not to nominate for the award this year.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has cancelled the community radio broadcasting licence held by the Western Australian Aboriginal Media Association (Aboriginal Corporation) (WAAMA).

On 19 May 2006, ACMA found that the community radio service operated by WAAMA (6AR Perth) had breached its licence conditions. ACMA imposed additional conditions on WAAMA on 22 June 2006. One of the additional conditions required WAAMA to provide a compliance plan to ACMA by 31 July 2006, but WAAMA failed to meet this requirement by the due date.

WAAMA ceased broadcasting on 1 September 2006 and WAAMA's Chair, Mr Iva Hayward Jackson, indicated to ACMA that WAAMA would not be surrendering its licence.

As a result of WAAMA's continuing non-compliance, ACMA issued a written notice to WAAMA on 8 September 2006. WAAMA did not make representations to ACMA by the due date of 15 September 2006 on why ACMA should not suspend or cancel the licence.

'ACMA's decision to cancel the licence is not one that has been taken lightly,' said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. 'We had worked very hard with WAAMA to ensure it reflected the listening needs of Perth's indigenous population. This included our imposing additional licence conditions.'

ACMA has not made any decision regarding the use of the frequency that has been freed up as a result of its decision and will consider this issue at a later date.

At that time, ACMA would remain conscious of continuing interest in an indigenous broadcasting service.

AMANDA Blair has pledged to take her outspoken views to the airwaves when she makes her full-time return to radio at FIVEaa next year.In what has been the industry’s worst-kept secret, the popular Sunday Mail columnist will replace Nicole Haack as afternoon presenter from January 14.

Seven newsreader Graeme Goodings has stepped into the timeslot since Haack’s departure on September 28 and will fill in until Christmas.

The role will be the former number 1 breakfast presenter’s first full-time radio gig since her shock split with SAFM in 2003.”I didn’t want to get near a microphone for a few years I was quite tired after SAFM,” said Blair, who has filled in for various FIVEaa personalities during the past two years.

“I just wanted to have kids and sit back.

“But it’s so refreshing for me to be able to express myself in a reasonably serious forum, and show people there’s a bit of a brain up there that works.

Commercial radio is gearing up for its glittering awards night to be held at Sydney's Luna Park next week. One of the world's funniest comedians, John Cleese, will open the show and a host of radio personalities and entertainers will be part of the night's line-up.

Some of Australia's best known radio personalities will be vying for awards. Last year's winners of the Best On Air Team award, Merrick and Rosso from Nova 969, have been nominated again this year and will be up against Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O from 2 Day FM Brendan Jones and Amanda Keller from WS FM the Cage from Triple M and Ross Stevenson and John Burns from 3AW.

For some time now Moris Sztajer and Ian Grieve and a dedicated group of volunteers have been constructing the Encyclopaedia of Australian Radio Show Database. (Earsdb) The project is nothing short of mammoth and is an ongoing works. It mainly centre around The Golden Age of Australian Radio 1932 - 1962 .

EarsDB is a computer based database that lists Australian Radio Shows of the Golden Age and beyond. The aim is to list all Australian radio shows aired during the Golden Age of Australian Radio and beyond.

The Australian today reports on their perception that the Supernetwork run by Bill Caralis has got off fairly lighty during the inquiry. To quote the article

It’s the network that has been immune from criticism thus far, despite its national news being “hubbed” from its Sydney headquarters at Pyrmont (which Caralis purpose-built in 2000 before Seven, Fairfax, DMG Radio and Ten moved into the area).

Supernetwork operations manager James Yelland said the reason was obvious: they delivered local news and broadcasters. “First and foremost we’re independently owned and operated and we’ve always had an agenda since day one to stay independent, and we will continue to do so regardless,” he said. “You must have a local presence and connect with the local audience.”FULL ITEM

Further to our recent item on Village Roadshow (on 26th Sept) there has been another significant sell down of Austereo stock. Village have now disposed of a further 9.8 percent, down to 50.2 percent holding in Austereo. This is down from 67 percent hold just weeks ago.

Speculation that Austereo will be a quick takeover target upon media ownership law changes is now being fuelled by the further share holding trading.

While the Ten Network have long been said to being casting an eye over Austereo it has also now been suggested PBL’s Nine Network would be a front runner should the opportunity arise.

Bloomberg filed the following stock report: Austereo Group Ltd. (AEO AU) slid 7.5 cents, or 4 percent, to A$1.79. Village Roadshow Ltd. (VRL AU), Australia’s biggest cinema chain, cut its stake in radio broadcaster Austereo to 50.2 percent, fuelling speculation it may be a seller if law changes spark media takeovers next year. Village Roadshow climbed 6 cents, or 2.5 percent, to A$2.50.

The 2006 conference of the Australian Communications and Media Authority will kick off in Canberra in 50 days time. The 'ICE' conference ˜Information Communications Entertainment' will take place at the Hyatt Hotel on 23 and 24 November.

'The ICE theme is acknowledgment of the changing nature of the modern communications environment and the realities of convergence. It also reflects the fact that ACMA itself is a newly converged regulator, with responsibilities spanning telecommunications, broadcasting, radiocommunications and online content,' said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

Consumers could be able to download music tracks from radio stations as they hear them under groundbreaking new technology being investigated as part of the launch of digital radio in Australia in 2009.

The digital music download service would allow consumers to buy tracks in real time over special mobile phone handsets.

New Zealand Government decisions announced today will provide for up to four new FM radio stations in each region, and strengthen the role of local broadcasters, say Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey and Communications Minister David Cunliffe.

The announcement follows a review of FM frequencies and approval of a new policy framework to promote local broadcasting.' The government is committed to supporting local broadcasters in establishing stations that reflect the interests and diversity of their community,' Steve Maharey said. 'In most regions there will be two non-commercial licences and two community-based commercial licences available.'

The biggest industry story in 2006 will continue to be the media reforms. We will provide links to the developing stories surrounding the proposed reforms.

The Age reports COMMUNICATIONS Minister Helen Coonan has paved the way to accepting the key item on the Nationals’ wish list, signalling she is prepared to implement a tougher diversity test as the price of securing her controversial media reforms. FULL ITEM

The Age reports:Communications Minister Helen Coonan has again indicated she is open to compromise with The Nationals over changes to media ownership laws.Senator Coonan said she would consider any 'worthwhile' amendments to a recently-introduced government bill which would abolish restrictions on companies owning more than one form of media in individual cities. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports: LOCAL news content on country radio stations could be greatly improved if newspaper proprietors owned both media in the same regional market.As Nationals MPs highlight the parlous state of local radio news ahead of a vote on the Governmentâ€™s media reform bill, APN News and Media chief Brendan Hopkins said Australia could learn from the New Zealand example, where radio news benefited from the company's ownership of local newspapers. FULL ITEM

The Age reports Analysts agree investors have generally watched and waited amid uncertainty over whether the media bills, which will abolish cross-ownership and foreign ownership restrictions and roll out digital technology, will be passed without major change. But they say share price premiums built into media stocks perceived as acquisition targets could quickly evaporate if the package was derailed. FULL ITEM

The Australin reports:Some companies, such as FM radio network Austereo, have embraced the proposed rewrite of rules, which would significantly loosen media ownership laws, while others say the new regulations remain a heavy hand on a dynamic sector. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:MARK Vaile has predicted that fine-tuning of media ownership laws will be required to quell the concerns of Nationals MPs over their impact in regional areas. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports Ron Camplin well remembers the days when a host of bureaucrats traipsed to the NSW city of Bathurst to check that he was an appropriate owner of the local wireless station.Now, Mr Camplin, 74, believes a similar circus is about to erupt with the federal Government's push to legislate minimum local-content rules for regional radio stations as part of the removal of cross-media ownership restrictions. FULL ITEM

The Canberra Times reports Two media outlets could disappear from the Canberra market or be taken over by other players under the Government's planned changes - but there are no immediate moves to do so. Under the media-ownership laws introduced to Parliament this week by Communications Minister Helen Coonan, Canberra, as a regional market, is guaranteed four media or independent media groups. Metropolitan markets are guaranteed five. FULL ITEM

The Age reports:APPARENTLY we need media diversity in regional cities but not capital cities.This is not because capital city dwellers are less interested in democracy than country people are, but because regional areas contain wheels labelled 'Nationals' that are squeaking and need to be oiled, whereas capital city politicians are already lubricated by Mogul Oil FULL ITEM

The Courier Mail reports:Long-awaited media reforms could be dumped if the Nationals continue to oppose the package.Some Liberals fear Prime Minister John Howard will simply walk away if the junior Coalition partner makes too much fuss. Mr Howard has previously said he does not want to waste political capital on the reforms, which were introduced to Parliament on Thursday. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:Mount Gambier is one regional centre that should fear the Howard Government's proposed new media ownership laws, say civic leaders.'The Mount' - in South Australia near the border with Victoria - counts its media as one newspaper, regional television station WIN TV, commercial radio station 5SE and ABC radio and television. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:Measures to preserve media diversity proposed by the Nationals would mean nothing in most regional areas, particularly the smallest and most vulnerable. Nationals from Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile down believe extra restrictions should be imposed to stop one proprietor buying more than two out of the three main media - television, radio and newspapers - in any one town. FULL ITEM

Australian Idol Judge and 2day FM breakfast host Kyle Sandilands has been asked to apologise for comments made to contestant Bobby Flynn. Sandilands, on last Sunday’s show called Flynn a “full mong”. This is not the first time Sandilands has fired insults at contestants.

Two weeksÂ ago, he raised more than just an eyebrow when he suggested 17-year-old Idol finalist Jessica Mauboy “lose the jelly belly” if she wanted to succeed. Sandilands has previously sparked controversy in the previous Australian Idol (2005), when he made reference to winner Kate DeAraugo’s “tuckshop lady” arms.

Regardless of whether Sandilands comments are made in hopes of driving the ratings further; What message is Sandilands sending to the impressionable veiwers of Australian Idol? Perhaps this is a case of people in glass houses…

The biggest industry story in 2006 will continue to be the media reforms. We will provide links to the developing stories surrounding the proposed reforms.

The Age reports:Communications Minister Helen Coonan has again indicated she is open to compromise with The Nationals over changes to media ownership laws. Senator Coonan said she would consider any “worthwhile” amendments to a recently-introduced government bill which would abolish restrictions on companies owning more than one form of media in individual cities. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports: LOCAL news content on country radio stations could be greatly improved if newspaper proprietors owned both media in the same regional market.As Nationals MPs highlight the parlous state of local radio news ahead of a vote on the Government’s media reform bill, APN News and Media chief Brendan Hopkins said Australia could learn from the New Zealand example, where radio news benefited from the company’s ownership of local newspapers. FULL ITEM

The Age reports: Analysts agree investors have generally watched and waited amid uncertainty over whether the media bills, which will abolish cross-ownership and foreign ownership restrictions and roll out digital technology, will be passed without major change. But they say share price premiums built into media stocks perceived as acquisition targets could quickly evaporate if the package was derailed. FULL ITEM

The Australin reports: Some companies, such as FM radio network Austereo, have embraced the proposed rewrite of rules, which would significantly loosen media ownership laws, while others say the new regulations remain a heavy hand on a dynamic sector. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:MARK Vaile has predicted that fine-tuning of media ownership laws will be required to quell the concerns of Nationals MPs over their impact in regional areas. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:Ron Camplin well remembers the days when a host of bureaucrats traipsed to the NSW city of Bathurst to check that he was an appropriate owner of the local wireless station. Now, Mr Camplin, 74, believes a similar circus is about to erupt with the federal Government’s push to legislate minimum local-content rules for regional radio stations as part of the removal of cross-media ownership restrictions. FULL ITEM

The Canberra Times reports: Two media outlets could disappear from the Canberra market or be taken over by other players under the Government’s planned changes - but there are no immediate moves to do so. Under the media-ownership laws introduced to Parliament this week by Communications Minister Helen Coonan, Canberra, as a regional market, is guaranteed four media “voices” or independent media groups. Metropolitan markets are guaranteed five. FULL ITEM

The Age reports:APPARENTLY we need media diversity in regional cities but not capital cities.This is not because capital city dwellers are less interested in democracy than country people are, but because regional areas contain wheels labelled “Nationals” that are squeaking and need to be oiled, whereas capital city politicians are already lubricated by Mogul Oil FULL ITEM

The Courier Mail reports: Long-awaited media reforms could be dumped if the Nationals continue to oppose the package.Some Liberals fear Prime Minister John Howard will simply walk away if the junior Coalition partner makes too much fuss. Mr Howard has previously said he does not want to waste political capital on the reforms, which were introduced to Parliament on Thursday. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:Mount Gambier is one regional centre that should fear the Howard Government’s proposed new media ownership laws, say civic leaders.”The Mount” - in South Australia near the border with Victoria - counts its media as one newspaper, regional television station WIN TV, commercial radio station 5SE and ABC radio and television. FULL ITEM

The Australian reports:Measures to preserve media diversity proposed by the Nationals would mean nothing in most regional areas, particularly the smallest and most vulnerable. Nationals from Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile down believe extra restrictions should be imposed to stop one proprietor buying more than two out of the three main media - television, radio and newspapers - in any one town. FULL ITEM